Z365" or "Festival all year round" is the new strategic point of the Festival in which converge investigation, accompaniment and development of new talents (Ikusmira Berriak, Nest); training and cinematic knowledge transfer (Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola, Zinemaldia + Plus, Filmmakers' dialogue); and investigation, disclosure and cinematic thought (Z70 project, Thought and Discussion and Research and publications).
True Mothers by the Japanese director Naomi Kawase was the final film to be presented in competition in the Official Selection this year. It is quite different to Vision, which also competed here for the Golden Shell in 2018, but at the same time it does reflect some of the recurring themes in her work, such as motherhood. Via a streaming connection from Japan, Kawase explained: “I think my fascination for this subject comes from when I was a little girl. My childhood is closely linked to the island of Amami Ōshima. An uncle of mine who lived there always said ‘only a mother’s love can save the world.’ It was a phrase that stuck in my mind, and I think that is why my films try to find the way to link maternal affection with a state of harmony and peace. The story is organised in flashbacks, although the filmmaker says: “I prefer to say that my film is organised in memories, because they have a subjective value and allow you to string together emotions.”